What John Wayne Cancer Foundation does

John Wayne Cancer Foundation (JWCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1985 by the family of John Wayne following his death from stomach cancer, headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. The organization operates four integrated program pillars: cancer research, education, awareness, and patient support. Its core offerings include the ACGME-accredited Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program (with sites at UC Irvine and a newly approved Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center program), the Block the Blaze youth skin cancer prevention education program (reaching over 700,000 youth nationwide), named cancer research grants, and survivor support partnerships. The foundation also runs a portfolio of athletic fundraising events — the six-location John Wayne Grit Series (running races at iconic Western film locations) and the Paddle Up pickleball tournament — which serve as both revenue generators and donor engagement mechanisms.

The foundation operates with a lean staff of 1-10 employees but amplifies its reach through a network of 160+ Alumni Fellows at cancer centers nationwide, six university-based Block the Blaze student organizations, and strategic partnerships with academic medical centers, the California Surf Lifesaving Association, and veteran-focused nonprofits. Technology infrastructure is conventional nonprofit tooling: Shopify for merchandise (JW Stock & Supply), Stripe for event registration and donations, and Vimeo for educational content. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary technology platform, or API products are offered. The organization does not disclose revenue or Form 990 financials in the source data, and has no disclosed funding rounds or institutional investors, consistent with its structure as a family-founded public charity dependent on individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Hooey, YETI, Nathan Sports, Cowboy Channel, Duke Spirits), event registration fees, and merchandise sales.

Name

John Wayne Cancer Foundation

Legal name

John Wayne Cancer Foundation

Website

https://johnwayne.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

John Wayne Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1985 that funds cancer research, surgical oncology fellowships, youth skin cancer education (Block the Blaze), and patient support programs, via donations, sponsorships, and athletic fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Cancer Research and Education Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Cancer research funding
• Oncology fellowship training
• Skin cancer education
• Cancer patient support
• Charitable fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Costa Mesa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: JWCF raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and event-based fundraising. The Grit Series races require registration fees and encourage participants to raise additional funds. Paddle Up pickleball tournament sells tickets and auction items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

John Wayne Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that funds cancer research grants, operates a two-year Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program (at UC Irvine and an upcoming Texas Tech site), delivers the Block the Blaze youth skin cancer prevention education program, and provides cancer patient/survivor support services. Fundraising is driven by the Grit Series trail running events, the Paddle Up pickleball tournament, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and a merchandise storefront.

Product overview

John Wayne Cancer Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of cancer-focused programs rather than a unified technology product. Core offerings include: (1) Block the Blaze - a youth skin cancer education program with free downloadable lesson plans and in-person presentations; (2) John Wayne Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program - a two-year training program for surgeons at UC Irvine and (upcoming) Texas Tech; (3) Cancer Research Grants - funding for multidisciplinary cancer research with Alumni Fellows Grant program; (4) GRIT Series - six annual endurance events at western US locations; (5) Paddle Up - annual pickleball tournament; and (6) Support Programs - partnerships for cancer screening and survivor support. The foundation also operates a Shopify-based merchandise store (JW Stock & Supply). The organization does not offer an API, AI/ML capabilities, or technology platform products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Block the Blaze: Youth skin cancer education and awareness program focused on sun safety, prevention, and early detection. Formerly known as the National Melanoma Awareness Project - Spot a Spot, Save a Life.
• John Wayne Grit Series
• Paddle Up

Products and services

• Block the Blaze Free youth skin cancer education program teaching sun safety, skin cancer prevention, and early detection (ABCDEs of melanoma) via in-person presentations and downloadable lesson plans delivered to K-12 schools, summer camps, and junior lifeguard programs nationwide.
• John Wayne Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program Two-year ACGME-accredited Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program training top surgeons in latest cancer treatment techniques, with research and clinical trial components, delivered through university partner sites (UC Irvine and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center).
• Cancer Research Grants Funding program for multidisciplinary basic, clinical, and translational cancer research, including John Wayne Alumni Fellows Grants, named research grants (Daunielle Cutting, Premier Girls Fastpitch), and sponsorships of Society of Surgical Oncology and American Society of Breast Surgeons conferences and lectures.
• John Wayne Grit Series Six annual trail running/racing events held at iconic John Wayne film locations — Jackson Hole (WY), Moab (UT), Lone Pine (CA), Fort Worth (TX), Pioneertown (CA), and Newport Coast (CA) — offering distances from 5K to 50K, with individual, corporate, and friends-and-family team registration plus fundraising components.
• Paddle Up Pickleball Tournament Annual doubles pickleball tournament for all skill levels (2.5–5.0) held at the Tennis & Pickleball Club of Newport Beach, featuring round-robin play with medal rounds, a DJ, food, auction, and fundraising competition; $150 per player ticket and $50 spectator ticket.
• Cancer Patient and Survivor Support Programs Support initiatives including funded cancer screenings for military veterans through the HunterSeven Foundation, the NAC We Are Ocean 5-day ocean adventure camp for 24 young adult cancer fighters (donation of $60,000), and family housing for pediatric cancer families via OK Kids Korral in Oklahoma City.
• John Wayne Alumni Fellows Network Ongoing network of 160+ surgeons who graduated from JWCF fellowship programs, providing clinical research grants, leadership in clinical trials, prospective cancer outcomes studies, and a peer-referral network reaching approximately 100,000 patients annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• 160+ doctors have graduated from the JWCF Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of California, Irvine (UCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJWCF supports the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Surgical Oncology Fellowship Chair and Program at UC Irvine School of Medicine. Dr. Maheswari Senthil serves as the JWCF Endowed Chair and Chief of Surgical Oncology. The program advances research, teaching, and service in surgical oncology. A new partnership between John Wayne Cancer Institute and UC Irvine allows 2nd year fellows to rotate to Orange County to work with Dr. Pigazzi and faculty.
• John Wayne Cancer Institute / Saint John's Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer home of the JWCF Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Program. 2nd year fellows rotate between JWCI and UC Irvine per the new partnership agreement. Multiple alumni fellows (Dr. Richard Essner, Dr. Melanie Goldfarb) are affiliated with this institute.
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTTUHSC received ACGME approval to launch The John Wayne Cancer Foundation Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program in collaboration with UMC Health System. This is JWCF's second fellowship program, with the first fellow expected in 2027. Aims to address cancer specialist shortage in rural West Texas where cancer incidence is 8-12% higher than national average.
• UMC Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with TTUHSC and JWCF for the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program. Provides clinical training site and patient access for fellows.
• California Surf Lifesaving Association (CSLSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlock the Blaze is the official partner of CSLSA, providing skin cancer education to CA junior lifeguards. JWCF has educated over 100,000+ CA junior lifeguards through this partnership and provides education, hats, and sunscreen to over 24,000 CA junior lifeguards annually.
• UC Irvine School of MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlock the Blaze originated at UC Irvine School of Medicine in 2003 as an extension of the Joel Myres Melanoma Awareness Project, founded by UCI medical students. The foundation brought the program in-house in 2014.
• Baylor School of MedicineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner with an official Block the Blaze Student Organization that educates local youth on behalf of JWCF.
• UTMB HealthminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner with official Block the Blaze Student Organization for youth skin cancer education.
• TTU Health Sciences CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner with official Block the Blaze Student Organization. Also partner for Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program.
• Ohio UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner with official Block the Blaze Student Organization for youth skin cancer education.
• Duke UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner with official Block the Blaze Student Organization. Also hosts JWCF-funded research (Dr. Maggie DiNome, breast cancer study).
• HunterSeven FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJWCF funds cancer screenings for military veterans through this organization, which is dedicated to preventing and detecting cancer at its earliest stages through research, education, and accessible medical screening.
• Newport Aquatic Center (NAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJWCF donated $60,000 to the We Are Ocean Cancer Program at NAC, a 5-day ocean adventure camp for 24 young adult cancer fighters on Catalina Island. Includes outrigger canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, sailing, swimming, and hiking.
• OK Kids KorralminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJWCF supports the Toby Keith Foundation's OK Kids Korral, which provides family housing for families of children undergoing cancer treatment at Oklahoma City hospitals.
• Crystal Cove State ParkminorOthersHost venue for the Newport Coast Grit Series event (Crystal Cove State Park Backcountry Trails) in Laguna Beach, CA.
• Turpin Meadow RanchminorOthersHost venue for Jackson Hole Grit Series at the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Run events start at this historic ranch in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
• Red Cliffs Lodge MoabminorOthersPreferred lodging and event venue for Moab Grit Series. Hosts packet pickup, post-race Grit Down celebrations, and weekend festivities including movie screenings and dinners.
• Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJWCF sponsors the John Wayne Clinical Research Lecture at the SSO International Conference, supporting continued education for surgical oncologists.
• American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJWCF provided an educational grant for 'The John Wayne Critical Issues in Breast Cancer Forum: Breast Cancer Post-COVID' at the ASBrS annual meeting, focusing on latest science, updates and innovations for breast surgeons.
• HooeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor of the John Wayne Grit Series with logo placement across event materials, websites, and promotional content.
• Nathan SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor providing hydration cups and products for Grit Series runners. Logo featured across event materials.
• YETIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor and prize donor for Paddle Up top fundraiser (YETI backpack). Logo placement across event materials.
• The Cowboy Channel & RFD TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational media sponsors covering western lifestyle content. Logo placement across Grit Series materials.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Susan G. Komen: Major disease-specific cancer nonprofit focused on breast cancer research, community health, and patient support. Comparable in grantmaking-plus-awareness model to JWCF's breast cancer research grants (DiNome, Santamaria).
• American Cancer Society: Largest US cancer nonprofit funding research, patient support, and advocacy across all cancer types. JWCF competes for donor dollars in the same charity space but operates at a much smaller scale with a narrower surgical-oncology focus.

Direct peers

• Stand Up To Cancer: Entertainment-industry-founded cancer research grantmaker that funds collaborative translational research teams. Comparable grantmaking model and celebrity-driven donor appeal to JWCF.
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: Dedicated cancer-type nonprofit combining research grants, patient services, and advocacy. Comparable integrated model to JWCF across research, education, and patient support.
• Livestrong Foundation: Cancer survivor support and navigation nonprofit with strong celebrity/founder identity. Comparable integration of cancer patient support programs with public awareness, similar to JWCF's survivor adventure camp work.
• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Celebrity-founded cancer research grantmaking foundation (Jim Valvano) that funds translational and clinical cancer research. Most directly comparable to JWCF in mission and celebrity-legacy grantmaking model.
• Melanoma Research Foundation: Disease-specific nonprofit focused on melanoma research, education, and patient advocacy. Directly comparable to JWCF's Block the Blaze skin cancer prevention program and melanoma research grants (Essner, Myres).
• Cancer Research Institute: Nonprofit funding immunology and immuno-oncology research, including clinical trials. Closely aligned with JWCF's historical funding of immunotherapy research and translational cancer science.

Others

• Society of Surgical Oncology: Professional society for surgical oncologists that JWCF sponsors (Clinical Research Lecture). Comparable professional network in the same surgical oncology community and partner ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Aim at Melanoma: Foundational melanoma nonprofit supporting patients, research, and awareness. Overlaps with JWCF's skin cancer education and early-detection mission but operates more narrowly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/JohnWayneCancerFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/johnwaynecancerfoundation
• Xx.com/JohnWayneCancer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn6d-K_4o_HV8Rt0EWj1L4A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/john-wayne-cancer-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about John Wayne Cancer Foundation